In July 2014, the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), in a press release titled “Rwanda gears up for surge in tourism demand” announced an $860-million tourism income target by 2017. Even though the jury is still out regarding this then ambitious target, Rwanda’s tourism industry is clearly more boisterous today. It …

During a graduation ceremony held at Gulu University on Jan.14, Gulu Archbishop John Baptist Odama was awarded a honorary doctorate of Philosophy for his outstanding role in restoring peace in Northern Uganda. Speaking at the function, Gulu University Chancellor, Prof Frederick Kayanja, said the award is an appreciation gesture for …

The trial of former Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) war lord Dominick Ongwen resumed on Jan.16 at the International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague with the first witness in the trail appearing. Tim Allen, an anthropology professor at the London School of Economics gave court a history of the war …

On the morning of Jan.17, the seven newly appointed commissioners of the Uganda Electoral Commission (EC) were sworn in by the Chief Justice Bart Katureebe ending the uncertainty over which commission will be responsible for conducting forthcoming local council elections.  Those sworn in are chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama, deputy Hajat Aisha Lubega, …

One of the challenges that Uganda’s tourism sector continuously faces is poaching and illicit trafficking of its wildlife. To curb this, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) has donated to the country 10 wildlife crime scene investigation (WCSI) kits to combat wildlife related crimes.  In addition to the kits, …

Experts say you may have bird or avian flu if you experience typical flu-like symptoms such as runny nose, sore throat, headache, respiratory difficulties, fever, muscle aches and diarrhea. Ministry of Agriculture on Jan.15 released an alert about the outbreak of the disease in two spots of Entebbe and Masaka …

On Jan.16, a notice to resume committee sittings the following day and plenary on Wednesday was issued by clerk of parliament Jane Kibirige. Parliament had gone on abrupt recess after Speaker Rebecca Kadaga put business on hold following a court order by Deputy Justice Stephen Kavuma blocking parliament from discussing …

“Because of my ill health, I request court to transfer me to Luzira prisons”, the frail looking King asked while in the dock.  Rwenzururu king Wesley Mumbere was on Jan.16 appearing before Jinja Chief Magistrate Francis Kaggwa. This was after fresh charges of multiple accounts of attempted murder, murder and …

  West African regional bloc ECOWAS on Jan.14 asked Gambia’s long time leader Yahya Jammeh to step down ahead of Jan.19 inauguration. According to International media reports ECOWAS has announced that if Jammeh does not cede power it will consider military intervention and has already prepared a standby force led …

The 4th meeting of the 5th session of the third assembly of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) has been sitting in Kampala from Jan.16 until Jan.25. Speaking to journalists on Jan.16, EALA speaker Dan Kidega highlighted in addition to reports, the bills to be debated which include the EAC …